Blood bank urges donations before the storm

DELAWARE – With the likelihood of a significant storm ready to affect our area this weekend, the Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) urges the public to donate before more flakes hit the ground.

To err on the side of caution, collection operations will be closed on Saturday, Jan. 23, but the need still remains the same.

“The safety of our donors is a top priority,” said Lead Executive of Donor Services Ric Thomas. “At the same time, we need to be certain that we collect enough blood to get our hospitals through the stormy weekend, which is why we’ll work late on Friday.”

The Blood Bank of Delmarva will open all five of their donor centers at 7 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 22. Anyone with a scheduled appointment is highly encouraged to keep that appointment due to the critical nature of this collection.

“With a storm of this nature, we need to collect as much blood as we’ll need for the next three days,” said Thomas. “We will also keep our Christiana and Dover centers open for extended hours on Friday until 5pm. O Negative and Platelet donations are especially needed as we head into the weekend. Times like this is when we truly need our community partners to help support our efforts…it’s all about helping to save lives.”

No appointments are necessary and walk-ins are welcome.

“We’ll also need donors to report on Monday to make up for lost collection opportunities over the weekend,” cautioned Thomas. “It will take an extended effort by all concerned to help manage through this weather crisis.”

In addition to the five permanent donor centers throughout the Delmarva region, the Blood Bank of Delmarva also utilizes more than 30 mobile donation locations.

Blood can be safely donated every 56 days as long as an individual is at least 17-years-old, weighs at least 110 pounds and is in generally good health. Platelets can be donated every two weeks as long as the donor has a height, weight and platelet count ratio that is conducive to giving.

Over 35 percent of the US population is eligible to give blood, but only 5 percent actually do, according to the Blood Bank of Delmarva.

For more information about the Blood Bank or to schedule a donation appointment, please call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or visit www.DelmarvaBlood.org.

You can also download BBD’s mobile app and schedule an appointment on your mobile device. Although appointments are preferred, walk-in donors are always welcome.

About Blood Bank of Delmarva

Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) is a non‐profit community service organization that provides blood and blood products to hospitals in the greater Delmarva region. In addition, BBD provides donor testing services for blood collection centers. BBD is a member of America’s Blood Centers and accredited by AABB. For more information about the Blood Bank, or to schedule an appointment, download our mobile app, visit www.DelmarvaBlood.org or call 1 888 8‐BLOOD‐8.

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Today’s Weather

40%

Chance of a Thunderstorm

Thunderstorms early. Lows overnight in the upper 60s.

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